Turns out eating your placenta could actually be dangerous

Claire Haiek |
October 19, 2017

Experts are now warning against the consumption of placenta.

The concept of eating your placenta has been around for many years. While most animals eat the placenta from their young after childbirth, we're not yet sure why or how it benefits them. One theory is that because a mother is vulnerable directly after giving birth, she eats the placenta so as not to attract predators with the smell of rotting meat.

Ew.

In the human world, the reasons are more varied. When it comes to chowing down on a plate of placenta post-birth, some women just can't get enough.

One couple cooked up a placenta and fed it to their family (again, EW), while countless celebs including Kim Kardashian have raved about the health benefits they have experienced from the postnatal protein hit.

Could it actually harm mums? Experts think so

A recent review published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology states that, "there is no scientific evidence of any clinical benefit of placentophagy among humans, and no placental nutrients and hormones are retained in sufficient amounts after placenta encapsulation to be potentially helpful to the mother postpartum."

The review refers to a recent case where a newborn became ill after the mother ingested capsules containing her placenta - a placenta that was contaminated with Streptococcus agalactiae.

Listen to our podcast where we discuss the pressure to have a 'perfect' birth (post continues after podcast)

"Without any scientific evidence, individuals promoting placentophagy, especially in the form of placenta encapsulation, claim that it is associated with certain physical and psychosocial benefits," the report says.

It is recommended that, "because placentophagy is potentially harmful with no documented benefit," women who enquire about consuming their own placenta should be discouraged by medical professionals.

So if you're currently pregnant and are sitting on the fence about what to do with the placenta after baby is born, maybe consider looking for some research that is backed by scientists and consider if it's worth facing the possible side effects.

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